West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-15
HARpER's FERRY LETTER.
HARpER's FERRY, July IL.

ginius came off on Tuesday last. al
Parkersburg, and we have heard va
rious reports of the result. 1t is
certain, however, we believe, that
leave was gwen to the old mlll-firm
to amend their bill-if that be the
proper way to express it-and the
case will come up again on the 18th
inst, on different issue, or perhaps
we ought to say that aec case will
be presented. We believe that the
first5:trial turned on the right OF
property in particular strip ofland,
and that, in the second, the great
point will be the probability of dam
age from floods, to the Vlrginlus. Is
land property, consequent on the
erection of certain wall by Slavery
and Company to direct the waters
into a particular channel. We reit-
crate that we have no feeling on this
subject beyond one of disappoint-
ment that anything should occur to
mar the fair promise at long length
presented to us of becoming once
again a prosperous community. As
far back as our memory goes we have
heard of the extraordinary adyant-
ages of this place for manufacturing
purposes. The water-power is i'm
mense and not confined to any par
ticular spot on either river. 1t ex-
tends for miles and miles along both
streams and it appears to us that
there is elbow-room enough here
about for hundreds of manufacturers
without the necessity for injunctions.
There is a current belief-on what
authority we know not-that John
Brown uttered bitter curse against
the place and a prophecy that it
would fall into irretrievable decay.
We know not how much truth there
may be in the legend but we have no
difficulty in realizing that he cursed
the place with his presence If in no
other way, and that if he was no
prophet he was something at CUES
sing, for it appears to be hard
thing indeed for Harper's Ferry to
revive, and, if this new enterprise
for any reason fails, we will conclude
that, sure enough, the Fates are fight
inc against us. For ourselves, we
take little stock in injunctions any
way. We once took out perpetual
one forbiding printers from attribut-
ing to us words which we never pen
ned and thoughts which we never
entertained, but it did no good and
we sometimes have difficulty in rec
ognizing in print the beloved bant-
lings of our own brain.
Our place has become, OF late
years, quite a noted Summer resort
and we have now staying here 4
large delegation from the best socie-
ty Of Wasbinston, and Philadelphia
and other cities. The Lockwood
and Morrill, Houses are crowded
the former having sixty-eight board
ers-an unprecedented number for
the first half of July. Among the
guests we recognize Mrs. Mary Nc
Intosh, a daughter of Mrs. Milton
Garrett, and q niece of the beautiful
Mrs. Mary Johnson, natives and res
idents for many years of this town,
Colonel Charles II. Gibson and fam
lily of Philadelphia, Gen. James ID.
Mcbride and family, Of Washington
City and Paymaster Sullivan, of the
L. S. Navy. They chose wisely when
they put up at the Lockwood, for
they will never lack the comforts Of
home so long as they are in the care
of Mother Lovett and the ever genial
Tom. The house commands full
view of the celebrated passage OF the
oombiped Potomac and Shenandoah
through the Blue Ridge. Thomas
Jefferson thought this sight worth
a voyage across the Atlantic, and we
are glad to see an ever increasing
appreciation of it and the constantly
growing popularity of that model
hostelry-The Lockwood House.
Mrs. Laura Crutchley, of BROOKLYN,
is visiting her aunt Mrs. Dorsey Ell
win and Miss Mary Jane Davis, OF
Washington City, is staying with
her relative Mrs. Robert Dlckey.
These ladies are eyer welcome to the
of our town for their accomplish
ments and pleasant manners are cal
culated to make them general favor
ties everywhere. There are good
many guests at the Morrill, House.
but we have not yet succeeded IN
getting the names. They too have
chosen wisely for the proprietor, Mr..
Macarthur and his lady have high
reputation as caterers, and the house
though but lately established has
already become deservedly popular
The Rev. Edward Tearney, OF
Richmond, Va, very learned young
clergyman, is visiting his relrtives
here. He is one of great many
Young men eminent in various pro
fessions, in whom we feel deep in
terest and pardonable pride, for
we helped materially to make them.
We once welded the ferula and
there is not learned profession that
does not contain scores of our old
pupils. 1t is no vain boast for it is
conceded fact that we were uncom-
monty lucky in moulding those
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